How To Be A Good Cook...

Home Cooking

How to be a good cook...

Enjoy preparing your meals,

Enjoy eating them,

Enjoy the company...

I am not obsessed with purity and strictness in my cooking or eating.

I enjoy flavor and texture and simple!

I enjoy the spices and fragrance!

Everything is not organic!

Everything is not sugar free!

I love my kitchen!

I love feeding my Husband and family!

I did learn to cook from my Mother as a young girl;

She was a good cook and took joy in preparing food for us.

So many times we can get stuck in the same foods and dinners,

But for myself that is where I find the comfort for me.

I will try a new dish every once in a while!

I will watch a cooking show and get inspired.

Or a may get a cookbook from the library.

Usually when I am shopping I will see what just looks appetizing,

or what might be on sale!

Preparing meals with food that are in season is always the best!

We eat a lot of asparagus in the spring months when it is fresh and cheap.

And sweet corn in the few weeks it is at its peak.

When you find that when fruits or vegetables are in season they are the best!

Enjoy what you prepare and experiment when the mood hits you!

I just cleaned out my cookbook shelf and I did get rid of many of them.

I always keep a few out and when I am sitting in the kitchen I can look at one

and get inspired, and see the notes I have written next to some of the recipes.

Summer we tend to eat lighter and simpler!

In the fall and winter we need more to feel full.

I try to bake something special once a week.

We try to eat some fish weekly.

I do try to watch the intake of carbohydrates!

Hummus is a good snack food!

Eating crackers and cheese is better than a cookie!

A homemade cookie is healthier than store bought ones!

Everything in moderation...

Sweet Rose Tea And Health Benefits,,,

  

This is a lovely sweet caffeine free tea.

 It has many health benefits. It contains the herb called Holy Basil.

Tulsi Sweet Rose

A delicate blend of chamomile, rose petals and the fragrant essence of rose.

Reduces Stress
Supports the Immune System
Builds Stamina
Uplifts Mood
Aids Digestion

I like to add a touch of honey to mine, and drink it to have a refreshing lift.

This time of year I once again enjoy my ritual of tea at three o'clock...

I have found drinking decaffeinated beverages have had an advantage!

I have been experimenting with so many herbal teas,

There are so many on the market that are so good for you!

I love the ritual of making tea;

Braving the water till it has a full steam pouring forth.

Choosing the perfect tea for the time of day or moment.

If it is just me, I just use the cup I have chosen, but if it is a few of us,

I enjoy using one of my teapots!

I also have a little teapot that is just for a two cup sitting.

It is very nice to have a cup of tea in the morning

(Many prefer coffee and I did till I felt the tea to be better suited my tummy)

So when I do like a cup of coffee in an afternoon, I now drink a decaffeinated kind!

~Coffee can cause a low blood sugar reaction and also raise your blood pressure~

I still enjoy the smell of coffee brewing...

So I do not deny myself a nice cup of coffee when I desire one.

But tea has had no undesired effects on me, so I have been drinking it a

A few times a day, but the evening tea had been so relaxing and comforting.

I enjoy reading a book and sipping tea!

Even in the summer I enjoy a cup,

My Grandmother use to say it cooled her by drinking a mint tea.

What is a brand or type of tea you enjoy?

Blessings, Roxy

Snowball Cookies Taste Great With A Cup Of Tea...

These little snowball cookies or some people call them

 Mexican Wedding Cookies;

But my Mother called them snowballs;

These little cookies are really a good tea cookie;

Serving a cup of tea with a snowball cookie is really quite satisfying.

These cookies have a small amount of powder sugar,

And it has ground nuts in them so they are a good source of protein

and good fats with the nuts in them.

I like to use two different nuts;

My choice is grounded up walnuts and pecans!

These cookies are a dry sort of cookie that is why they go great

with a lovely cup of hot tea!

Snowball Cookie Recipe

1 cup of softened butter

1/4 cup powder sugar

2 tsp. Vanilla

1/4 tsp. Salt

2 Tbl. Milk or Cream

1 cup ground nuts

 Walnuts or pecans or both of them!

2 cups flour

Cream butter and powder sugar

Add your milk or cream

Add vanilla and salt

Add ground nuts;

Then add your flour

Don't be afraid to add some more cream or flour;

To be able to roll them into little balls.

I make mine a bit bigger

(I like big cookies)

Place them on a cookie sheet

Bake at 325 for 15 to 17 minutes

You can tell they are done when they are lightly brown on the bottom.

Now, allow them to cool off slightly;

So now you roll these balls in powder sugar.

I like to keep all my homemade cookies in a tin, covered with wax paper and

Store them in the freezer; As this will keep them fresh

 Then you just take out what you need for your tea time!

I have found that when I am in the baking mood

 I will make enough cookies to last for quite a while...

 And then when I have company or tea time I always have a fresh treat to serve!

Do you enjoy a nice cookie with your tea?

 I have found that a shortbread cookie is also very good!

I do hope you are all doing very well! It seems that each season brings new things to do

And to overcome obstacles... But do not grow weary in doing good!

I am looking forward to doing a little craft for this next month, to keep busy and productive.

Always, Hugs Roxy

Better Choices for eating More Fruits And Vegetables...

 

One thing that always can be seen this time of year;

So many of us try to make a decision to eat better and to make better choices!

I for one think this is a good idea as it resets your internal clock for food choices.

Thinking along the lines of more fresh fruits or vegetables.

I did see a young woman in the grocery store in her yoga pants

She looked totally inspired, maybe she ran to the store!

Just with a cart filled with fresh veggies it looked like a work of art!

But I did want to encourage her, but I also wanted to say;

Just remember those fresh fruits and veggies go limp pretty quick!

Who out there has not had rotten bananas before a few days had passed!

Oh, and the limp celery, but you can usually get that to crisp up.

And those tomatoes that sprout seeds inside (yuck)

These bodies need so many good things...

I for one need protein every morning

Also, if I eat too many fruits with a lot of seeds it hurts my tummy!

Juicing to much to quick can raise the sugar levels and that feels yucky!

So for me the best approach is all things in moderation!

Buy a few vegetables at a time and use them up!

Eat the ones that are in season, as they are cheaper and fresher!

Eat right and light...

Yet, a little sweet for a treat makes a girl happy deep down inside!

I always love seeing pretty bright veggies in a bowl...

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How I Make My Fall Treat Mix...

My Fall Treat Mix

When fall comes around, I always like to make a special mix of sweet and salty treats.

I enjoy adding a cereal that has a maple flavor to it!

I know this may be not on your food list of things to eat, but it is only once a year!

I have always thought the memories that it comes with it is so worth it!

~I am sure you foodies out there will make a healthier version~

But, it makes me happy and brings a smile to my face...

You can really add anything you want into your own batch;

But sweet and salty is what I aim for in mine.

It really is convenient to make up a batch and store in a pretty glass jar!

I always make up a little bag of it and put it in my car for a snack.

You can add fruit or nuts, really whatever your heart desires.

Why are making memories so powerful to one's heart and sense's?

I have come to a stage in my life where I believe I can answer that very question.

Everything holds a memory;

That is why we must always take heed to make some good ones.

I am thankful that the good ones over power the ones that hinder or harm.

Do you know that even the sound of your voice portrays an emotion?

That is why our tone is so important!

Keep the bitterness out of our words;

As we may just have to eat them...

May our words be salty or sweet!

My Recipe For My Fall Mix

1 bag of pretzels

1 bag of goldfish crackers

1 box of Chocolate Grahams

1 small bag of chocolate M&M's

3 cups of Maple flavor cereal

Please share with me what you like to put into your Fall Mix!
Also see two other ideas for Fall mixes below!


Here Is A Photo Of What I Used...

Here are two other Blog sites showing their versions of a Fall Mix

Spicy Cereal Mix Using Chex Cereal From God's Grace Overflows

A Kosher Fall Mix From Living For Yeshua

Please check out these other sites for inspiration;

Blessings, Roxy

How To Make A Bite Size Lasagna Cupcake...

LASAGNA CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS...

1/3 pound ground beef or you can use ground turkey

Salt and pepper to taste...
24 wonton wrappers
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup pasta sauce

Bake at 375

Spray muffin tin pan with cooking spray

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until nicely browned

Cook your ground beef, add salt and pepper and some garlic salt or fresh garlic

You can use a biscuit cutter to cut wonton wrappers or just leave them more rustic

Now, just layer the wonton wrappers and cheeses and sauce;
(Just like a large pan of lasagna): o)
 (Use about 3 wrappers per cupcake)

Bake until bubbly and browned slightly

Allow to cool and remove with a tiny rubber spatula onto a plate!

Serve with a salad and garlic toast!!

Yummy! Enjoy!

I do hope it is finally a bit cooler so you can enjoy these little tasty lasagna cupcakes!

Have you been making some quick breads to have with your morning coffee?

And it always tastes so good with afternoon tea!

My brother sent me this recipe and it is amazing...

They are great for a leftover snack or a complete meal!

Blessings to you all...

~Happy Fall~

Using The Trusted Blue Book For Preserving....

 

I have used this book for years...
Ball: Blue Book Of Preserving

This is the time of the year when the harvest is drawing near.

 It is time to get all of the produce from your own garden and pull it in.

 This is where we gather it and we're able to put it up and 

Preserve it to use those long winter months that are coming. 

I think that when women take the time to learn to preserve, to put up, to put back, to water bath, to pressure can or to make jams or jelly's even dry fruit is such wisdom. 

This is the time of year you can get many things

 For a very reasonable price peaches and plums and apples are yet to come.

 I want to encourage each of you to have a book that teaches you how to preserve. 

You can even pick these up at your local library and borrow them and even copy and print off some of the pages. There's something so satisfying about a pantry that is full with canned goods and jams and jellies and tomatoes and things that you've either grown yourself or picked up at the local farmers market or even your local store ...

I have also have been buying different fruits and cutting them up and actually freezing them, so later on after the holidays, like such as Thanksgiving or Christmas I'm able to make another batch of jam. I do hope that you can take this time of harvest that is coming very quickly is even upon us and learn to freeze and do something, maybe you have never done in the past even if it's just a small amount of a special fruit or vegetable that your family enjoys.

 I do hope you all have a lovely rest of the Seasons of Harvest.

Blessings to each and everyone of you!

Why Baking Keeps You Happy And Cupcakes Are The Perfect Treat And How To Make Chocolate and Coconut, Pecan Frosting...

 

Tiny And Yet Complete...

Now, you all know me well enough by now to know that this post;

"Will not just be about cupcakes"

A lesson learned is a powerful thing...

How do we learn?

By living our days in such a way that we are teachable and not stiff necked!

If you know everything, then just stop reading now;

As I do not want to waste your time (smile)

I have been graced to be in a learning curve my whole life;

I am not ashamed to ask for clarification in any given moment.

I do think one very valuable lesson is that we cannot read each others minds!

What grace and room abounds when we realize this and respond correctly.

That is why being a good student of the word and life is so valuable.

You have all heard this phrase;

How do we eat an elephant?

Well, one bite at a time...

This is how we can become wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove!

Learning comes in teeny tiny bite's

May I ask you this question?

What have you learned recently?

I find as I enjoy other sister's in the Lord, and glean from their wonderful tips and advice,

Then I am able to pick up and assimilate some really great things...

When a sister in Christ shares something that they do or they show me a technique,

that they use in their lives and in their homemaking, it always inspires me.

I have found that even changing one little thing can make something seem new

And also appealing to our senses and atmosphere!

I have enjoyed baking most my life;

But there are times that just making one big sheet cake is just too much.

So I have enjoyed making a smaller version of the cake into of course;

Cupcakes...

We all enjoy something sweet as a treat at times,

So I have been making these cupcakes!

You can make a healthy version from scratch, or a boxed cake mix.

The frosting can be the sweet touch, but the sprinkles make them pretty.

I have often seen children just want a certain doughnut in a display case,

Just because of the sprinkles.

I did make some german chocolate ones a few weeks back, 

Of course the frosting is what makes them so yummy!

I used coconut and pecans in it and it was delicious.

Chocolate And Coconut-Pecan Frosting

I egg, slightly beaten

2/3. Cup evaporated milk

2/3 Cup sugar

1 1/3 Cups shredded coconut 

1/4 Cup butter

1/2 Cup chopped pecans

1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

In medium saucepan slightly beat egg.

Stir in evaporated milk, sugar and butter and cocoa powder.

Cook and stir over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until thick and bubbly.

Remove from heat- stir in 1 1/3 cup coconut flakes and 1/2 cup chopped pecans.

Cover and allow to cool, then frost your cupcakes!

(My Sweet Daughter in law shared this recipe with me)

I added the chocolate powder to make it look and taste like a rich chocolate flavor.

Gods, Grace Overflows is the name of her blog!

I hope all of you ladies are enjoying and moving into a new season;

Learning and growing in all things pertaining to Home...

Bearing Fruit In Every Season And Learning To Preserve Them...

 

Bearing Fruit In All Season's

And we're not talking dried fruit either...

This is a lovely old bowl filled with fresh strawberries

 These were hand picked by myself and my Husband and sister and brother in law

 It was such a beautiful day!

A strawberry field smells just wonderful!

 This is the picture of them after they were washed and hulled

 And put into this beautiful large antique bowl.

 Shortly before becoming delicious desserts,

 We're talking Strawberry Shortcake strawberry preserves,

 Strawberries with vanilla bean ice cream, strawberry delight.

 Isn't that bowel absolutely lovely? It does belong to one of my sisters.

 It is very beautiful in her kitchen, of course, it  is only used a few times of the year

 When we pick and gather a large quantity of strawberries it looks so pretty filled to the top.

 And it made for such a pretty photograph, I think I overdid it,

 I think I took about 50 snapshots of that one bowl of fruit.

 I will say that not only were these strawberries, beautiful

 But they were some of the sweetest and tastiest strawberries I've ever had in my life. 

They were not even very large, but the flavor did more than make up for the smaller size. 

I think it is the same way in our lives,

 It is the small things that we do can really bring a sweeter aroma to the Lord

 When they're done in love.
When was the last time we did something special for someone in secret?

Maybe you might know someone who could really benefit from
Giving them some of your extra purchased bounty this fall.
We all know that zucchini is plentiful this time of year!
Be sure to wash and shred some and put it in  the freezer for bread!
You will be glad you did when those zucchini double and triple in price this winter!
Being frugal is something you do as you think ahead for something you will
eventually need and use at a later time.

Get busy and put a few things in your freezer if you do not know how to can!
Everyone can buy freezer bags and clean and prepare something!
"Peaches, Strawberries, Shredded or slices zucchini for soups"
My DIL even gets fresh corn and cuts off the kernels to put in in casseroles
and soups in the winter months!

If you even put back small amounts will be enjoyed and appreciated.
A fresh peach cobbler is a delight when it is snowing outside.
Buy more jars or cans of the items of the things that are on sale!
Peanut butter gets really cheap as school is starting,
 buy a few and put them in your pantry.
Dried Pinto beans will be picked soon in the fields, these last all year.
Buy some of these things in bulk.
Learning to use the income God has given you wisely is what makes you a wise woman!

~ ~ ~

 I do hope you keep an eye out for all the fresh fruits and veggies,

 That you can still find for a very good price this time of year;

When you can purchase a few fresh items for a good price and

Freeze them, this helps with cost in your food budget!

"Be Wise And Put Back"

 For harvest season is upon us...

How I Make Iced Coffee And It Is Super Easy To Make At Home...

Iced Coffee...

One way to be frugal with coffee is to make your morning coffee and take

what is left over in your pot and add some cream and sugar and 

Pour it into a glass jar for an afternoon refreshing treat.

I just place it in the refrigerator to chill it well!

 You can pour it into a glass with a little bit of ice,

and you can add some whip cream and chocolate syrup.
Add then you have a very inexpensive fancy coffee!

Or just drink it plain!

Or you can drive for miles to your nearest coffee house!

And spend Five Bucks...

I have really enjoyed getting myself a fancy rich coffee when out,

But there are times they are so rich and a bit too much caffeine.

There are so many ideas for adding sweetened condensed milk,

and other ingredients. But you can also make a separate pot

Of coffee and make it a bit stronger,

 so when you add the ice it is not watered down!

I usually buy a can of real whipped cream this time of year,

So it is handy for a quick batch of homemade iced coffee!

Some Tips and Tricks:

 Use some chocolate milk for a mocha iced coffee

 Freeze leftover (sweetened) coffee in an ice cube tray to make coffee ice cubes.

 Place coffee ice cubes together with milk, cream or chocolate milk

 in a blender to make a slushy iced coffee. YUMMY

 Use flavored creams (such as vanilla) instead of regular cream.

 Skip the sugar and use coffee flavoring syrups instead.

(You can purchase these at the Dollar Store)

 Skip the sugar and use chocolate syrup instead.

  Try sweetened condensed milk instead.

 Iced coffee is best with darker-roast coffee blends or

Try grinding some fresh coffee beans...

 To make your coffee stronger try this:

 Brew a pot of coffee, then pour the brewed coffee back through again, using the same filter.

Do you enjoy drinking ice coffee?

Or do you make up fresh iced tea for a beverage?

My Hubby does not drink coffee, but he loves ice tea!
So I make flavored tea for him as he likes Earl Grey tea and Blueberry flavor!
By adding these to his regular flavor tea it gives it just a hint of pizazz!

Remember to ask your Hubby what he might have a hankering for?
Make him a priority when planning meals!
This is a way to honor him and make him feel special and loved!